The Diversity Gap: Value-Trait Consistency in News Exposure and Democratic Citizenship

• In Event: Information, Polarization, and Perceptions of Others

Abstract

Although scholars consider it important for people to seek diverse information, a growing body of research suggests that many people are only exposing themselves to information that confirms their previous beliefs. Using two waves of survey data with an online panel of 2,455 Americans, this study explores a disconnect between ideals and practices to identify 1) whether citizens hold the same ideals as scholars; 2) whether individuals who hold diversity-seeking ideals live up to the ideals; and 3) whether diversity-seeking ideals and practices are emblematic with good democratic citizenship. Results suggested that a sizable group did not hold the diversity-seeking ideals and another sizable group failed to live up to such ideals. Those who held higher diversity-seeking ideals were found to be more politically knowledgeable, regardless of their level of diversity-seeking in practice.

Authors

• Dam Hee Kim, University of Michigan

• Joshua M. Pasek, U of Michigan